EXPLORING THE STREPTOZOTOCIN-NICOTINAMIDE MOUSE MODEL IN BALB/C MICE: GAINING INSIGHTS INTO DIABETIC PNEUMOPATHY

Background: Diabetic pneumopathy has been a topic of interest in the present era, and it caught the eye during the COVID-19 pandemic. Extensive research provides compelling data supporting the association between diabetes and lung injury, establishing the lung as a principal organ affected by diabetes. However, the understanding of diabetic lung has always remained under shadow. For this purpose, we aimed to search for diabetic lung conditions by using a type 2 diabetic model in BALB/c mice. Methods: The study spanned from May to June 2023 at Ziauddin University. Nicotinamide, followed by streptozotocin, was injected into the mice. Mice were confirmed diabetic on the 7th day and housed for the onset of diabetic lung complications. After 28 days, mice underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and were then sacrificed, followed by the collection of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the extraction of the lungs. Lungs were fixed for histological analysis. Results: The presence of increased glycaemic levels, further verified by abnormal glucose tolerance, confirmed the establishment of the type 2 diabetic model. Additionally, the diabetic group showed lung fibrotic changes. Conclusion: The foundation of a type 2 diabetic model with the target of generating pneumopathy was accomplished successfully. Pak J Physiol 2024;20(3):31?6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v20i3.1673